Southern U. 38, Grambling St. 33

NEW ORLEANS -- Dray Joseph threw for five touchdowns as Southern University overcame an early deficit and held on late to defeat Grambling State 38-33 on Saturday in the Bayou Classic.

Grambling trailed 38-20 early in the fourth quarter but cut into Southern's lead with two touchdowns. The Tigers reached Southern's 41-yard line, but Grambling quarterback Frank Rivers was sacked and fumbled to end the game.

The game marked the end of disappointing seasons for both teams.

Southern (4-7, 3-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference) fired coach Stump Mitchell two games into the season and expects to replace interim coach Dawson Odoms. Grambling (1-10, 0-9), the defending league champion, ended the season with one victory for the first time since 1941 -- the school's inaugural year under legendary coach Eddie Robinson.

Grambling took a 14-0 lead, converting a pair of fumbles by Southern into touchdown passes by D.J. Williams.